Social Systems Philosophy

The Social Systems Academy believes students should emerge from their high school experience as adults with a desire for lifelong learning.  Students should have awareness of community, respect for diversity, and be purposeful in their activities and education after leaving our academy. 
The Social Systems Academy takes a holistic view of a student as a person who will grow in learning to become a productive member of society.  The course content will emphasize culture and diversity, societal groups, and social dynamics.
The Study of Social Systems
The study of social systems helps people understand their roles in society.  Students will learn about culture, consisting of the language, literature, arts and traditions of various groups of people.  They will come to understand common characteristics of different cultures and learn how cultural contributions shape societies over time.

Student will also study the interaction among individuals, groups, and institutions, as well as learn how and why groups and institutions are formed, what roles they play in society, and how they interact with and influence institutions.

Social Systems Academy Strands

The Social Systems Academy features four strands or focus areas.  Students will complete a minimum of six credits in their selected and/or related strands.

Business:  Offers the opportunity to concentrate on office skills and management, finance, marketing, or accounting.  Students have the opportunity to join DECA, a national business student organization, to compete in state and national competitions, and manage the student store. 

Culinary Arts:  Provides students a wide range of food related experiences, from basic food preparation, to entertaining, to learning the skills needed to prepare for careers in the food industry. Students compete in various SKILLS USA competitions.

Visual Arts: Explores creative expression through drawing, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. Students explore various media as they develop aesthetic understanding and explore art history, the traditional arts of other cultures, art criticism and production.  They create functional and expressive works of visual art and also explore the possibilities of art careers and advanced educational opportunities.

Performing Arts:  Explores creative expression through the theater arts, instrumental music and choral music.  Acting techniques, stage behavior, musical theater, role interpretation, playwriting, directing, and technical theater are a few of the skills taught in the drama program. Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple theater productions during the year.  The choral and instrumental programs encompass beginning to advanced classes and feature numerous concerts and competitions.